Washing machine



Oct. 15, 1929. P. 'E. BA RKER I WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 19. 1927 s sheets-sheet FfrH/IRKER .QLlS, 1'929.- P'.E.YBARV KERI I I "1,731,517

WASHING MACHINE I Filed Oct. 19, 192'! I s Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 15, 1929, I P, BARKER 1,731,517

WASHING MACHINE Filed 001:. 19, 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 5 Ell l- I I i gwuemto'a A w P-E-BHRKER Illl to my own United States Patent N 0. 1,624,461, dated April 12, I927. The operation of the.

Patented Oct. 15, 1929' UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE PER-CY E. BARKER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE OINDERELLA WASHING MACHINE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORAA TION OF OHIO WASHING MACHINE Application filed October 19, 1927. Serial No. 227,188.

My invention relates to washing machines, and the invention is an improvement in the class of washing machines in which a washing liquid is a tated by a motor-driven fan. As an exemplification ofonetype of washing machine in that class, reference may be had present machine 1s in some respects similar to my patented device but the structure has been modified to meet different conditions and to be of general utility in washing. a variety of articles requiring that service frequently in theaverage home. To explain, various motor-driven appliances are commonly used in households of today, including machines I 'for washing clothes, dishes, etc. The clothes washing machines in general use are of sufficient size and capacity to hold a large amount of water and a large batch of goods and to operate satisfactorily onsheets and other articles of large dimensions. However, a housewife has constant occasion to wash small quantities of goods and sundry articles in daily use, such as towels, silk and linen stockings, diapers, handkerchiefs, lingerie, garments of fine materials, etc. To meet that need I have devised a small machine for washing individual pieces or small batches of goods such as mentioned, and have so constructed the device that it may be placed upon a stove and the. water heated while the motor is in.

operation without damage or ill effect to the operating parts. Moreover, I provide the liquid receptacle with handles or a swinging bail to permit the same to be easily transported, either with or without the operating mechanism, which is particularly arranged and mounted to permit its free removal from the liquid receptacle and to permit it to be handled as an independent unit. As constructed this operating unit is used in part as a cover and in part as a cylinder to provide a washing chamber for the goods and in combination with the liquid receptacle, to provide air chambers and passages in certain desired relations to effect agitation of the liquid and goods with efficient washing results when the goods and a certain amount of cleansing solution is placed within the liquid receptacle,

' or inner cylinder, also hereinafter referred to as cylindrical skirting or inner tank or inner receptacle as will be plainly understoodfrom the context, andFig. 5 a side elevation of the pail or liquid receptacle, also hereinafter referred to as outer cylindrical member or outer cylinder or outer tank, as also will be plainly understood, a portion being in section to show the interior in each figure. Fig. 6, Sheet 1, is a sectional view of a modification.

The invention comprises a cylindrical receptacle or vessel A made of any suitable material, preferably tin, copper, or other noncorrosi've sheet metal. The size of this receptacle may vary considerably but in making a portable machine for rapid washing of individual pieces or small batches of goods I find it desirable to make the receptacle about thirteen inches in diameter and twelve inches in height. A swinging bail or ached handle 2 may be attached to receptacle A to permit it to be carried and'handled conveniently, and an overflow opening 3 is provided at one side of the receptacle, which opening may be -closed by a cork or bung 4, or other device, when occasion requires. Incidentally the machine will operate with lesser or greater amounts of water, but with an overflow opening 3 located at a predetermined elevation it follows that the receptacle can only be filled to that level thereby assuring maximum efficiency in operation. Opening 3 may be open or closed in washing operations, but having ceptacle, if desired, to facilitate quick and complete discharge ofthe water.

T e operatin mechanism or inner working unit B use with receptacle A to effect agitation of the water and washing of the goods is entirely independent of the receptacle and may be removed therefrom bodily. However, as constructed, unit B comprises a flanged top or cover 5 which is adapted to rest loosely upon the border rim or bead 6 of receptacle A and from which top or cover a hollow cylinder or cylindrical wall forming an annular skirting 7 is suspended so that it may be sleeved concentrically in spaced relation to cylindrical wall 8 of receptacle A. Thus cylinder 7 is of slightly smaller diameter than receptacle A to provide an annular space or chamber 9 extending downwardly to the bottom of the outer receptacle or cylindrical member A, although the bottom edge 10 of cylinder 7 is preferably not in close contact with the bottom but spaced uniformly apart therefrom, say about one-half an inch when cover 5 is resting unevenly or loosely upon border rim 6, which may be irregular or provided with raised seats at one or more places therein, or the cover may be so formed as to provide an air passage or space which will permit free communication between the upper end of the annular space or chamber 9 and the outer atmosphere. Immediately beneath cover 5 and spaced apart therefrom is a dished transverse diaphragm 11 fixed at its periphery or flanged edgei12 to cylinder 7 which contains one or more slots or lowered openings 13 radially thereof to provide connecting air passages and free fluid flow between the annular space or chamber 9 and the upper compartment or chamber 14 formed in the cylinder 7 by cover 5, the upper portion of skirting 7 and diaphragm 11. A raised central portion in diaphragm 11 contains a circular opening 15, and a dished baffle plate or guard member 16 is secured by rivets or bolts 17 in a spaced position to the bottom face of diaphragm 11 opposite opening 15. From the foregoing it will be seen that annular chamber 9, up or chamber 14, and a central washing cham er 18, which is formed within the inner cylinder 7 below the diaphragm 11, are in open communication at all times when the working unit 3 is sleeved within the outer receptacle A, and that an annular space 19 is also provided beneath the bottom edge 10 of cylinder 7 which in the absence of water from receptacle A will afford free liquid flow between outer chamber 9 and central chamber 18 annularly at their bottoms. When liquid receptacle A is filled with water to approximately the level of overflow opening3 the annular passage 19 at the base of chambers 9 and 18 is obviously throttled or closed, and .the body of water in the large central washing chamber 18 is level with the water in the annular space 9. Upon exhausting the'air rapidly in the upper part of washair will rush upwardly thereinto and cause the water to surge back intoannular space 9 notwithstanding the rapid revolutions of a suction fan 20 seated in the upper chamber 14 adjacently above the opening 15' in diaphragm 11. Fan 20 is mounted upon the shaft of an electric motor 21 secured in a vertical position centrally within and upon cover 5 by a detachable clamping collar 22, the fan being free to rotate centrally within air chamber 14, and the electric motor being protected from the water by its own casing, and the bafile member 16. Detachment of clamping collar 22 permits the motor and fan to be removed bodily from top or cover 5, and a rubber or leather sealing ring and cushioning gasket 23 may be employed with the clamping collar to fasten the motor in sealing connection with said top or cover.

To operate the machine, the working unit B is first removed from liquid receptacle A and the latter filled to the desired level with water and suitable cleansing agents, such as soap. The articles to be washed are then deposited in the water, and unit B placed upon and within receptacle A, the cylinder 7 hearing down upon the goods and resting thereon when gathered at the bottom of the receptacle. In such case the top or cover may be spaced more or less above and apart from rim 6 of receptacle A due to the accumulation of clothes under the bottom edge 10 of the depending cylindrical skirt 7. Upon switching on the electric current and starting the motor the air is rapidly exhausted from chamber 18, and the goods underneath edge 10 of cylinder 7 will be drawn immediately into the washing chamber 18 which permits the entire unit to settle until cover 5 is seated upon border rim 6. Assuming Water is present to the depth of seven inches the motor will start at normal speed and as the air is exhausted and the air pressure reduced around the fan. the motor will pick up or increase its speed. correspondingly. When the pressure within the washing chamber 18 is approximately a quarter of a pound lower than atmosphere pressure the water inside of the washing chamber is at a higher elevation and the water in annular space 9 has been lowered to approximately the same level as the annular bottom edge or rim 10 of the skirting or cylindrical Wall 7. Then the water seal will be broken and air will rush suddenly in volume around the annular bottom edge 10 into the inner working chamber 18 and upwardly in a ringlike area adjacent the circular wall 7 A .substantial amount of air is drawn in suddenly in that way, which crowds or forces the body of water toward the center with agitatin effect. The inrush of air places an additional load on the constantly revolving fan and decreases its speed, and the pressure inside and outside is momentarily equalized, which permits the water to drop instantly within the washing chamber 18 and rise rapidly in the outer space or chamber 9. The goods in the water may at times re I strict the free passage of the air to some eX- tent and agitation of the goods and water brought about irregularly and intermittently. The rapid changes in pressure by the sudden breaking of the water seal causes agitation and regurgitation of the water and the goods to such an appreciable extent that the goods will be thoroughly washed in about fifteen minutes, more or less, dependent upon the cleansing agent in use and whether hot or boiling water is employed. The suction fan 20 runs continuously at varying speeds. To expedite washing operations, the water may be constantly heated while the motor is operating, inasmuch as the receptacle is relatively small and portable and may be readily placed upon a stove, say above a gas burner in a gas stove. When the washing operation is completed, a rinsing operation may be performed in the same receptacle and with the same operatingunit. Or, a duplicate liquid receptacle or outer tank may be used for rinsing purposes, using the same operating unit or inner tank and shifting the latter from one outer receptacle to the other.

to Fig. 6. in which the outer liquid receptacle A and inner operating unit B are in the main the same as in the structure hereinbefore described, but differing therefrom in the following respects. Thus, the cylinder or skirt 7 forming the depending part of unit B is shown as corrugated annularly in the lower area or zone which provides the'washing chamber 18'. Obviously the corrugated surface provides a rubbing surface for the agitated goods as the water rises andfalls within the chamber. in this device is also formed with a notched flange 16 extending upwardly in engagement with diaphragm 11' to prevent the goods or a light or small piece of material from being drawn into the opening 15 and the fan. The border edge of the top' or cover 5 is also provided in this case with downwardly stamped projections 24 to seat the top cover in slightly spaced position upon the rim of the outer liquid receptacle A. As an alternative the cylindrical skirting 7 may rest on a corrugated bottom, ribs or raised seats 25 on bottom 26 of receptacle A.

The slight air space or passage which is provided at the seating rim for the cover-pre- To illustrate a few minor modifications which might be made, reference may be had The baflle member 16 vents the building up of pressure beyond atmospheric pressure within the fan chamsteam or water from this chamber to the 1110- torcasing. A recirculation of heatedvapor is effected and the heat is conserved, since the escape of air and vapor at the seating rim is very slight, the noticeable effect being a slight ulsating action. Soap suds entering the an chamber 14 are drained by the sloping diaphragm 11 and escape through the slots 13 into the annular space 9. f i

The appliance, as constructed herein, isnot dependent upon the use of gaskets or tightly fitting joints between the separable parts, as the water itself, is utilized to seal the bottom of the washing chamber from the atmosphere. A substantial depth of 'water is also obtained in an appliance of this kind and the washing .ber, and'consequently there is no leakage of g of the goods effectively brought about because the air is caused to rush in from all sides and over a very material area and to agitate the water at many points or all around the circumference of the washing chamber. Then a recession, rolling or back wash takes place in a marked degree with a corresponding cleansing action on the goods. The same operations occur in placing the working unit B in any kind of an outer liquid receptacle, such as a pail, laundry tray,etc., providing the Washing chamber and the capacity of the fan is such that the level of the water surrounding the inner cylinder seated in the outer receptacle will be lowered to the bottom edge of the cylinder to break the seal as herein described. I

What I claim, is: T 1. A washing appliance, comprising outer and inner members forming a central washing chamber and a chamber encircling said washing chamber, the outer member being adapted to hold a washing fluid, the inner member having a closed top and being formed with an opening adjacent the bottom of the outer member to permit fluid flow between said washing and encircling chambers; means forming a restricted opening to the atmosphere adjacent the top'of said outer member; a suction fan for withdrawing air from the washing chamber; and. means for operating said fan, the discharge side of said fan being open constantly to the atmosphere within the confines of said encircling chamber.

2. A washing appliance, comprising laterally spaced outer and inner members forming ,a central chamber and a chamber encircling chamber for withdrawing air fromthe washingchamber; and means for operating said fan, the wall of the inner member having apertures within the confines of the fan cham- 'outer member to permit fluid flow between said washing and encircling chambers. 3. A washing appliance, comprlslng an outerrece iuaclc adapted to hold a washing fluid and openin its upper portion to the atmosphere; an open-bottom and closed-top inner receptacle supported by the outer receptacle in spaced relation to the sides and bottom of the latter ;,a perforated diaphragm in said inner receptacle forming, in combination with the walls of the latter, an upper chamber in said inner receptacle, the lateral wall of said inner receptacle having apertures within the confines of said upper chamber to permit fluid flow between said upper chamber and the upper part of the lateral space between the receptacle; and means extending within.

the upper chamber for withdrawing air from said inner receptacle below said diaphragm and discharging it into said upper chamber.

4. A, washing appliance, comprising an outer receptacle adapted to hold a washing fluid; a removable cover forsaid receptacle having an open-bottom skirting disposed within said receptacle and spaced from the sides and bottom of the latter, the space be-- tween said receptacle and skirting being open to the atmosphere adjacent said cover; asuction fan mounted in the upper part of the chamber formed within said skirting; and means for actuating said fan, the wall of said skirting adjacent the discharge side of the fan having apertures to permit fluid flow between the skirting chamber and the lateral space between the receptacle and skirting.

5. A washing appliance, comprisinga cylindrical receptacle adapted to hold a washing fluid; a cover for said receptacle; an annular open-bottom skirting extending downwardly from said cover a substantial distance into receptacle, said skirting being spaced from the wall of said receptacle; and annular diaphragm located in the upper part of the chamber formed within said skirting and arranged transversely to the axis of the latter,

- said diaphragm forming, in combination with the .wall of said skirting and said cover, an upper chamber; and means in said 'upper chamber for Withdrawing air from the lower part of the skirting chamber, the wall of said upper chamber having apertures to permit escape of the air, the upper part of the space between said skirting and the wall of the fluid receptacle being open constantly to the atmosphere.

6. A washing appliance, comprising a liquid receptacle; a container within said receptacle and in spaced relation thereto, said container extending downwardly .nearly to the bottom of said receptacle and being open at'its lower end and covered at its top; means for mounting said container in said receptacle; a perforated diaphragm located within the upper end of said container and subdividing the latter into a lower washing compartment and an upper fan compartment; a motor mounted upon the top of said container; and

ing into the space between said receptacle and said container, and said space being constantly open to the atmosphere. 7

7 A washing appliance, comprising a cylindrical receptacle adapted to hold a washing liquid; a removable cover therefor having a cylindrical skirting extending downwardly and forming a washing chamber within said receptacle; means for spacing the bottom edge of said cover from the rim of said receptacle, the bottom of said cylindrical skirting being also spaced from the bottom of said receptacle; a motor and a suction fan driven thereby carried by said cover; and means located within the upper part of said skirting forming an air conduit from the washing chamber to the fan, said motor, fan and conduit serving to withdraw air from the washsideof'said fan being open constantly to the atmosphere.

8. A washing appliance, comprising separate and independent receptacles one within the other and in laterally spaced relation, the bottom of the inner receptacle being open, said inner receptacle serving as a washing chamber; means for suspending said inner receptacle above thebottom of the outer receptacle; a cover for saidinner receptacle, said cover being formed with a peripheral flange loosely resting upon the upper rim of said outer receptacle;'a suction fan in the upper part of said inner receptacle; and means for'actuating said fan, the wall of the inner receptacle adjacent the discharge side of said fan having apertures to permit fluid flow between said discharge side and the space between said receptacles.

9. A washing unit for a liquid receptacle, comprising a container open at its lower end and formed with a fan chamber interiorly thereof; and a motor'mounted upon said con tainer and having a fan in said fan chamber for withdrawing air from said container, the wall of said fan chamber being formed with an opening providing air communication between said container and the fan chamber, said wall also having apertures leading to the atmosphere.

10. A portable washing unit for an opensaid fan chamber being formed with openings leading to the atmosphere; a suction fan mounted in said fan chamber for withdrawing air from the lower washing chamber; and a motor for operating said fan and mounted upon said cylinder.

11. A portable washing unit for an opentop liquid receptacle, comprising a hollow upright closed-top washing cylinder having an open bottom and provided with a perforated diaphragm transverse to the axis of the cylinder which forms a lower washing chamber and an upper fan'chamber, the wall of said fan chamber being formed with openings leading to the atmosphere; a suction fan mounted in said fan chamber for withdrawing air from said lower washing chamber, said fan discharging toward said openings; a motor for operating said fan and mounted upon said cylinder; and means formed upon said cylinder above said wall openings for supporting the cylinder within a liquid receptacle.

12. A portable washing unit for an opentop liquid receptacle, comprising a hollow upright closed-top washing cylinder having an open bottom and provided with a perforated diaphragm transverse to the axis of the cylinder which forms a lower Washing chamher and an upper fan chamber, the wall of saidfan chamber being formed with openings leading to the atmosphere; a suction fan mounted in said fan chamber for withdrawing air from the lower washing chamber, said fan discharging towards said openings; and a motor for operating said fan and mounted upon said cylinder.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

PERCY E. BARKER. 

